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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






2. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






3. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






4. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






5. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






6. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






7. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






8. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






9. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






10. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






11. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






12. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






13. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






14. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






15. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






16. A direction to play lively and fast.






17. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






18. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






19. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






20. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






21. A direction to play expressively.






22. A reprise.






23. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






24. Indicating speed.






25. A string of chords played in succession.






26. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






27. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






28. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






29. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






30. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






31. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






32. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






33. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






34. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






35. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






36. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






37. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






38. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






39. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






40. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






41. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






42. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






43. Closing section of a movement.






44. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






45. Unmusical - without tone.






46. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






47. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






48. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






49. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






50. Unmusical - without tone.